A visit with Stephanie Thatenhorst
Stephanie Thatenhorst and her team develop unique and personal spaces – from private residences and inspiring work environments to restaurants and hotels. Her style thrives on the tension between two worlds: on the one hand, bold, eclectic and colourful – on the other, calm, minimalist and atmospheric.
These contrasts arise from her life between the lively, colourful city and the quiet, natural surroundings of the countryside – two poles that are reflected in her designs.
INTERVIEW
You designed a new show flat in Munich. Tell us a little bit about it...
The idea came when my landlord offered me this 260 square metre flat. It was completely oversized for me and my two children. Nevertheless, I had a gut feeling that I could do something special with it. In cities like London or New York, the concept of a show flat is quite normal. So I asked myself: why not in Munich too? The flat is now my home and at the same time a living showcase for our work. Customers experience the rooms as they are really lived in. It's an invitation to be inspired.
What does the customisability of the Freifrau collection mean to you?
It's essential to our work. Our customers want rooms that reflect their personality and not off-the-peg solutions. When we get to work with manufacturers like Freifrau who are open to customisation, we can get the most out of every project together. And that's exactly what we aim for: thinking ahead, developing further, doing things differently.
How are Freifrau's values reflected in your design approach?
I recognise myself in many of these values. Durability, quality craftsmanship, a certain sensuality. All of these play a major role for me. I enjoy working with feminine designs, but I think more in terms of compositions than gender. Some spaces can be soft and poetic, others are clear and powerful. The important thing is that the design is authentic and that you can feel that someone is passionate about it.
What was the most unusual project you've ever worked on?
One of the most playful projects was definitely ‘Rookie’ – an optician for children. We designed a spectacle vending machine that works according to the motto ‘Press – Marvel – Enjoy’. The kids press a button and their model is dispensed. Similar to a candy machine. It was so nice to see how much fun the children had with it. And at the same time, it shows that good design can also be humorous and accessible. It was especially enjoyable to see everything through the eyes of a child again – with that curiosity, penness and imagination.
Dear Stephanie, thank you very much for your time and the wonderful shooting-days we were able to spend in your show flat!
